Over 700 YES students from 35 countries, placed in all 50 states, recently returned back to their home after spending an exciting year in the U.S. As previous YES students, you all can relate to how ten months in a new culture can lead to a lot of personal changes. New habits are formed, mannerisms picked up, communication styles changed, and attitudes shifted. All these new experiences and personal growth can make it a challenge to re-adjust to life back home. When you come to America you are expected to be met with difficulties and challenges while adjusting to a new lifestyle; but perhaps you didn’t expect the reverse: re-adjusting to the culture and lifestyle you grew up in. Culture shock is a phenomenon that is frequently discussed as one goes into a new culture, but the opposite is rarely explored – what is it like to return home after a year in the United States and exposure to a new set of cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. It can truly be disorienting to return home.

As the newest cohort of YES alumni was settling back into their home countries, YES program held the Reverse Culture Shock Webinar (July 31, 2018 at 9AM EDT) featuring YES alumni from around the world. We invited all YES alumni, whether they had been back home for six years or six weeks, to join the conversation about reverse culture shock. YES staff and supporters were also encouraged to join the webinar for insight on common challenges and best practices for YES alumni dealing with reverse culture shock.

This webinar invited a panel of YES alumni from all the Recruiting Organizations (AMIDEAST, iEARN, IRIS, American Councils, and AFS) and represented regions around the world to discuss what it is like for YES alumni to re-adjust to life in their home countries. The Reverse Culture Shock Webinar took the form of a virtual roundtable discussion with five alumni sharing their experiences with reverse culture shock, and strategies and tactics to overcome obstacles. The YES alumni panelists shared their experiences of settling back into their home communities and created an open dialogue about some of the biggest barriers.

Amna Sabahat Bhutta, (YES 2006 - 2007, Pakistan, hosted by AYUSA in Vancouver, WA), is a communication and project management specialist from Pakistan. Prior to starting her master in International Affairs at Columbia University, she worked as the program manager with Mishal Pakistan, a country partner of World Economic Forum. She also worked as an information analyst for a multinational, Global Rescue, and as the regional ambassador to South Asia for Global Zero. She is currently a Fulbright Scholar and Women International Leadership (WIL) Fellow at International House, New York. She has been awarded with Emerging Leaders’ Award, given by Pakistan-US Alumni Network and US State Department, as an appreciation for her volunteer work and community service projects in Pakistan since 2007. Amna is currently interning at iEARN-USA and will be the Reverse Culture Shock Webinar moderator. 

Mahamadou Lamine Bagayoko is the Mali coordinator for the YES program. Mr. Bagayoko is a Fulbright alumnus with a Master of Arts in Women's studies from SUNY Albany and is an educator with more than 15 years of experiences in exchange programs management. He has worked as homestay coordinator, students services coordinator, languages teacher and coordinator, and assistant director for a study abroad program that brings American students to Mali. As the country coordinator of iEARN in Mali, Mr. Bagayoko manages the YES program, with his staff, under the official name of NICER MALI. He is passionate about culture, gender, social justice and mutual understanding. He  loves sharing knowledge and learning from others. He is fluent in French, English, Bambara and speaks several other languages including German.

Merima Muhic (YES 2015-2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by ACES in Apex, NC) believes a big part of her exchange year was shaped by the fact that she was placed in a single parent home with a host mom that to this day continues to be a wonderful support system. Merima’s exchange year was full of new cultures, friends, interests; all that would stick around even after she finished her exchange year. She credits those people and experiences in shaping the years that have followed YES. Merima says that YES Alumni Organization had a lot to do with her adapting back into her community – she became involved with projects as soon as she returned home. Merima eventually became a city representative for YES and gets to do a project a month on topics she is extremely passionate about, such as gender equality, youth involvement, serving at shelters, and other community service projects. Merima is also a full-time student at University of Sarajevo where she is majoring in International Relations and Diplomacy.

Abdalaziz Abuzayed (YES 2010-2011, Gaza, hosted by FLAG in Lexington, SC and Marion, NC) is a Palestinian young man, aspiring to create a positive difference in the world through education, dialogue, and development projects. Abdalaziz, who prefers Aziz for short, currently reside in Cairo, Egypt, in queue to start his Master's studies in Area and Global Studies for International Cooperation. His interests are limitless, just like he hopes his influence will be. Aziz joined the YES program to start a journey life, and it hasn't yet ended. He will tell you how one relatively short experience can enhance your whole life the moment you realize what you have.

Shine Santos (YES 2006-2007, Philippines, hosted by PAX in Bay City, MI) is a Customer Development Executive at Unilever Food Solutions. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines under the degree BS Tourism. She was hosted in Bay City, Michigan during her KL-YES year in 2007 and spent the year with the Kernstock's together with another exchange student from Brazil. Shine served as the Chapter President  of the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines, Metro Manila Chapter from 2014-2015, and continues to volunteer at her local KL-YES alumni association. On weekends, she plays Touch Football (Touch Rugby) with her local team and often go for long distance runs. Shine is currently a member of the Philippine Women's National Touch Football Team that will compete at the Touch World Cup 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.